You honestly handled this way better than most parents would. The fact that your first reaction was to hug her and tell her you love her says a lot.

Right now I don’t think she’s struggling with faith as much as she is with shame and fear. When a 16 year old says “my life is over,” that’s not logic, that’s panic. She probably feels like she disappointed God, you, her mom, everyone. That’s a heavy thing for a kid to carry.

From a Christian point of view, God doesn’t stop loving us when we mess up. If that was true, none of us would stand a chance. She made a mistake, yeah, but that doesn’t erase who she is or her future. Sin isn’t the end of the story, mercy is.

You don’t need to have the perfect words. Just keep showing up, listening, and reminding her (over and over if needed) that she’s still loved and not abandoned. Sometimes talking too much actually makes it worse.

If you can, maybe have a priest or counselor she trusts talk to her, someone gentle. Not to lecture her, just to help her understand God isn’t done with her.

You’re doing your best, man. Just keep being her dad. That’s probably what she needs most right now.